EasyYou should know the basics, how to increase and decrease, and have made at least one project.

IntermediateYou should have worked with a few stitch patterns and should be familiar wtih basic garment shaping.

AdvancedYou should have made several garments in various stitch patters and should comfortable making minor changes to patterns. Advanced is fun and challenging for thinking knitters.

Merike SaarniitMerike Saarniit has been teaching workshops in knitting, spinning, weaving, and dyeing for over 20 years, and at most STITCHES events since 2000. The combination of her traditional Estonian heritage (including serious research of Estonian knitting) and her contemporary degree in Studio Art contribute to her unique designs and workshop presentations.

Friday 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Friday 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm6062 Advanced Creative Estonian StitchesWhen is a swatch more than a swatch? When swatching a baker's dozen of unusual Estonian textured/manipulated stitches edged with an elegant and useful selvage treatment (some say worth the price of admission alone), knit flat, and your swatch results in a lovely head warmer or cowl. Add a crown and you have a hat. Stitches have been adapted from several old Estonian stitch libraries.

NEW

Saturday 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Saturday 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm6097 Advanced Beyond Fiendishly Difficult StitchesWhether or not you've ever taken Merike's popular Fiendishly Difficult Stitches 3-hour class, this class provides an even more fascinating assortment of stitches as well as working with two different selvedge treatments that are a delight in themselves. This class could have a few subtitles: "The Unchartables" or "When a YO is not just a YO". If you choose to continue your swatch until it is long enough to fit around your head, you'll have a fabulous headwarmer. Add a crown for a hat. Or, turn it into a cowl. You will want to use some of these stitches in your future projects.

Sunday 8:30 am - 11:30 am7020 Easy Spinning for KnittingSpin your own yarn and then develop unique 'gourmet yarns' in silk, alpaca, angora, and the most luscious wools. Learn tips and tricks to ensure gorgeous handspun yarns, perfect for your special projects. Great for both those who want to learn the art of spinning and those who want to develop their spinning skills. Material fee: $10 for assorted fibers and drop spindles for use in class.